The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-09

of the e.. St L. & P, has invented derail-
ment brake and fire extinguishiEg apparatus
that in tests has worked admirably. 1t consists
of bar depending from the equalizer beam.
which bar, IN derailment, strikes the rail, caus-
ing release Of air in the brake apparatus. and
consequent application of brakes. 1t also
causes the escaping air to force acid into soda
solution. which Is forced in turn, into the car
stove Immediately extingulshing the fire. The
brakes are applied on every car by the operation
of the device. but the fire is put out in only the
derailed car.
Traffic officials are very busy since the ad-
journment of the conference in New York pre-
pairing their tariffs to meet the provisions of the
new law. TIE amount of work necessary to
adapt the operations of the railroads to its pro-
visions is prodigious. General Freight Agent
Bird, of the Chicago, Milwaukee q St Paul.
says that it will require six books of the size of
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary to contain the
freight tariffs of their road, aud these six vol
umes would, if the law is lived up to its present
construction, needs be placed at every station.
There is one thing quite evident; that is that
the printing establishments of this country are
to derive great benefit from the printing OF tar
Ifs alone.
The agreement made by the representatives
of the st. Paul Chicago lines in the latter city
Monday week. that all rates should be strictly
maintained until the new interstate law went
into effect, was very short-lived. Tuesday, rates
were held up to tariff. and the shipper was un-
able to obtain anything less than the published
| figures. Wednesday dawned with the same con-
dition of things existing, but before the day was
| over one of the roads lost its virtue, and by
| nghtfall all the roads contracting for fnt-
ure business at less than tariff figures. The de-
moralization continued Thursday, and Friday
was augmented by the withdrawal of the Mime
| sofa & Northwestern from the pool, and this
| week rates are off 30 per cent
President Roberts the Interstate Law.
| PHILADELPHIA, March S-The annual meet
ing of the stockholders of the Pennsylvania Rail
road Company was held today in Musical-fund
Hall, A Louden Snowden presiding The re-
port which has been published, was read, and
an hour was taken up by W. e. Lockwood in the
discussion of allegations against the directors of
! the company concerning its contracts with the
Pullman Parlor-car Company and the Adams
| Express Company. President Roberts was asked
for an expression of his opinion of the interstate
| commerce law, and he spoke at some length on
the subject He said the officers of the company
had been engaged, as we'll as they could do so, in
the formulation of new tariff sheets to accord
| with the law. He said there seems to be dispo-
sition to enforce the act in every way possible.
just what effect it will have in the interests oil
the public it will be difficult to say or. at this
time, to determine. II do not think that those
| inland lines not subject to water connection,
| will be seriously affected. From an ex-
| animation of our business l find there
has been more conformity with the ideas incor-
| porated in the act than any other line. because
| We came under the operation of law similar in
character when we obtained our main line from
| the State. If the law does not work there will
| be violent strife, as the system of pooling is
abolished aud means left to counteract cut
ting of rates except at the end of struggle All
| however, hope for fairly good results The
| complete transformation of all railroad business
| could not De accomplished without great deal
of violence to the interests of the country, as
| we'll as those of the railroads. 1 may say there
are quite many good features in the law for
the railroads for the public, but it is likely
that there will be greater injury TO the public
outside of the railroads, as one is dependent on
the other for mutual prosperity. There will
probably DE serious results" In response to ar
| inquiry. President Roberts said that the loca
business would be affected as we'll as the through
| traffic by the operation of the law.